Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Photo/AP)
Keir Starmer on Monday announced his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom amid unrest within the Labor Party. His departure marks another short-lived term in Downing Street, adding to the last cycle of the UK’s short-lived prime ministership.Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision earlier in the day and would remain in his role as Prime Minister until a new Labor leader was chosen. His government initially enjoyed strong popular support, but later faced challenges related to the economy, public services, and internal divisions in the party.His departure comes just over two years after he led the Labor Party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule and becoming Britain’s 58th Prime Minister.Read also | Who will replace Keir Starmer? The most prominent contenders for the position of Prime Minister of the United KingdomAnnouncing his decision, Starmer said the question facing Labor was whether he was still the right person to lead the party at the next general election.He said, “I heard my party’s answer to this question and I accept this answer with all grace.”“Every decision I’ve made has been about putting the country I love first. I will resign as leader of the Labor Party.”The resignation comes after weeks of speculation about his future following a series of political setbacks, declining public support, and increasing calls from within the Labor Party for a change in leadership.
Starmer said he spoke to the king on Monday morning and asked Labour’s national executive committee to begin the process of electing a new leader.According to the schedule, nominations for the leadership race will open on July 9 and close before Parliament’s summer recess, ensuring a new Labor leader before lawmakers return in September.Until then, Starmer said he would continue to act as prime minister.
During his speech, Starmer spoke about Labour’s journey back into government and defended his record as party leader.He said he inherited a Labor Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and recalled being told repeatedly that the party was “finished”.“But we proved these people wrong,” he added.Starmer added that his leadership had transformed Labor by “removing the poison of anti-Semitism” and “restoring confidence in the economy, defense and national security”.The outgoing Prime Minister also described entering Downing Street after Labour’s election victory as the proudest moment of his life.He said: “Walking into Downing Street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life.”“I came into politics for the opportunity to change the lives of millions of people for the better.”
The pressure was mounting
Starmer’s resignation comes in the wake of growing unrest within the Labor Party following a series of political setbacks, declining public support and increasing calls from party members for a change in leadership.Speculation has intensified following the recent parliamentary victory of Andy Burnham, widely seen as the main contender to succeed Starmer, who has emerged as a prominent figure within the Labor Party.The announcement makes Starmer the latest British Prime Minister to leave office before completing his full term, continuing a period of political instability that has seen several leadership changes at Westminster over the past decade.In an emotional conclusion to his resignation speech, Starmer said he looked forward to spending more time with his family after leaving what he described as “the biggest job in the country”.“Be the best husband I can be to my amazing wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side in good and bad times,” he said, sounding emotional.He added: “And to be the best father I can to my beautiful children who are my source of pride and happiness.”Starmer then embraced his wife, Victoria Starmer, before returning inside 10 Downing Street to applause from supporters and staff gathered outside.Keir Starmer was elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July 2024 after Labor won a landslide victory in the general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.The 61-year-old Labor Party leader promised to bring about change, stressing the need to achieve results. In his first speech as the UK’s new Prime Minister, he paid tribute to his immediate predecessor Rishi Sunak, acknowledging the dedication and hard work Sunak brought to his leadership.